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How to plan an outdoor electric installation

08 Jul 2021

Carrying out an electrical installation of outdoor lighting is not a simple task that can be done in any way. When dealing with places exposed to humidity, wind, vegetation, etc., not only does the installation process become more complex, but also the luminaires chosen must have the capacity to withstand these factors without deteriorating.

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An electrical installation of outdoor lighting should always be carried out by a specialist technician, but if you want to know in detail the steps to be taken into account during the process, here we explain it.

 

 

To plan the installation correctly.

To achieve an electrical installation of exterior lighting that works correctly and does not deteriorate over time depends above all on the planning of the process.

This preliminary planning must not only take into account factors such as the type of lights to be used at each point, but also the type of exterior where the installation is to be carried out. And it is that not all the exteriors are equal neither have the same conditions, while spaces like the terraces can be drier and without vegetation, other places like the gardens are impregnated with humidity and exposed to the rain, the wind, and the dust.

In this sense, it will be necessary to differentiate between garden exteriors, terrace exteriors, and special exteriors, always taking into account the particular characteristics of each specific space.

 

Choosing the appropriate lighting for each area.

As mentioned above, not all exteriors are the same or have the same conditions, and to this, we must add that, even within the same space, not all points are exposed to the same environmental factors or have the same functions.

  

In this sense, it is necessary to distinguish between three types of light:

 Light for walking

Light to see

Light to enjoy

For each type of light, the appropriate lights must be used in the specific points to fulfill their role and depending on this, they must be lights with a determined IP for each exact zone in which they are located.

All this affects the outdoor lighting electrical installation, since each outdoor area has a recommended IP (protection index), and it is important to choose the light with the exact IP in each point to avoid that in a short term the outdoor lighting electrical installation could be broken or damaged.

 

Consult the instruction manual for the installation of each light.

 

Each luminaire is installed differently, and to avoid surprises in the operation of the luminaires once the electrical installation of the exterior lighting is completed, it is best to follow the specific installation instructions that accompany each of the luminaires chosen.

 

Use materials suitable and prepared for outdoor use.

It is not only the luminaires that are exposed to different environmental factors, but also the entire electrical installation of the outdoor lighting.

Precisely for this reason, it is important to use materials prepared for outdoor use, such as watertight connectors to join all the cables of the installation.

In this regard, it is also advisable to ensure that the technician performing the installation does not use vulcanized tape, as it deteriorates over time and water can enter.

By using these materials adapted to the outdoors, we will be protecting the outdoor lighting electrical installation and guaranteeing the correct operation of the lighting system to be installed.

 

Questions to be taken into account in the electrical installation of outdoor lighting.

 

If recessed luminaires are used outdoors, it is not only important to ensure that they compete with the appropriate IP for this area, but also that they compete with a layer of soil that allows water to seep into the ground.

Likewise, the recessed dish should never be placed below ground, but rather above or below grade, thus preventing water from standing here.

As we see, it is important to take all these factors into account so that the electrical installation of outdoor lighting in your project is as planned and ensures proper functioning and durability.

Therefore, it is best to turn to technical specialists, such as those of FARO Barcelona, who are responsible for performing this installation taking into account the specific characteristics of the outdoor space that occupies us, buy with us, and get the best results guaranteed!